“Bad Brains: Band in DC” – Talk to the Beastie Boys, Dave Grohl, Jane’s Addiction and Henry Rollins, to name but a few, and they’ll all tell you that the Bad Brains are one of the most important bands of the last 35 years.

If those superstars are unavailable to chat, however, you can just watch this gripping documentary, which does an excellent job explaining how the Brains’ blistering approach to hardcore punk influenced legions of other musicians. “Band in DC” (a play on the Brains’ song “Banned in D.C.”) is a comprehensive history lesson, stretching from the players’ roots in EWF-style funk in the mid-‘70s right up to their recent reunion tours.

The early archival concert footage is mesmerizing, showcasing a combination of power, speed and musicality rarely seen in punk (or anywhere else). Overall, this film should be required viewing for all punk-rock fans.